BEE BREEDER-GENETICIST Susan Cobey calms the swarm by smoking it as beekeeper Bill Weinerth films the activity. Cobey shook the bees loose from the limb and moved them into a new hive. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

BEE FRIENDLY PLANTS--Lavender, salvia and stalked bulbine are among the scores of bee friendly plants that gardeners are encouraged to grow in their yards. Missy Borel of the California Center for Urban Horticulture, UC Davis, brought these plants for a television interview today at the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility, UC Davis. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

POLLEN LOAD--A pollen-packing bee at the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility visits an almond blossom. This photo was taken March 5. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Packing pollen

PACKING POLLEN--A worker bee packs pollen in her pollen basket as she visits almond blossoms on the grounds of the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility on Thursday, March 5. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)